Meet Roslyn Ashford

We recently connected with Roslyn Ashford and have shared our conversation below.

Roslyn, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I knew I wanted to study psychology when I was just 16. I remember overhearing a boy on the bus share that he smoked marijuana with his dad, and it shocked me. That moment lit a fire to understand family dynamics and the ways people heal. I pursued that passion, earned my degrees, and began working as a school-based therapist. But over time, I burned out. Quietly, I walked away from the field of therapy altogether and escaped into something I thought I could control — going back to school to get a Ph.D., studying how people learn, and chasing the corporate America dream. Instead of feeling renewed, I felt even more misaligned.

That detour landed me as a substitute teacher — the career I had always resisted because both of my parents were teachers. Ironically, I was naturally gifted in the classroom, and administrators wanted to send me back to school for free. But what I found most surprising was that I kept ending up in “therapy” moments with students and staff. That crossroads reignited my passion, reminding me that my true purpose had always been therapy — helping people heal, align, and grow.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m the Founder of Nu Leaf Therapy, a group private practice serving clients in Mississippi, Texas, and Florida, and I’m also the creator of Collectively Well, a new movement designed to bridge science and spirit in the pursuit of aligned living. My work began in traditional therapy, where I’ve supported individuals and couples in navigating trauma, relationships, and life transitions. But what excites me most today is how my practice has evolved into something bigger — guiding people beyond coping and into true alignment.

Through Collectively Well, I bring together my background as a Licensed Professional Counselor with energy and sound healing practices to create experiences that are both clinically grounded and spiritually expansive. Whether it’s through mini-workshops, immersive retreats, or community teaching, the goal is the same: helping people dissolve fear, anchor love in practical ways, and awaken their inner healer.

On a personal note, I’m a hopeful romantic, writer, and Sagittarius who loves love, spiritual growth, travel, and singing. Those passions inspire my work and fuel the joy I bring to my clients and community. Looking ahead, I’m preparing to launch new Living Aligned workshops and retreats. It’s an exciting season of growth, and I see this work as a way to make wellness more accessible, collective, and transformative for people who are ready to reset and reconnect with themselves.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Clarity, confidence, and connection.

Clarity allowed me to recognize when I was misaligned, even when my life looked “successful” on paper. Learning to name what I truly desired — beyond degrees, jobs, or expectations — was the first step to reclaiming my purpose. If you’re just starting out, you can build clarity by journaling, taking reflective walks, or asking yourself simple questions like, “What do I want more of right now?”

Confidence carried me through fear and uncertainty. Whether it was leaving jobs, starting my own practice, or taking risks in love and leadership, I had to trust myself enough to take one aligned step at a time. My advice: focus on micro-steps. Each small action builds proof that you’re capable, and progress fuels confidence more than waiting for the perfect plan.

And connection is what sustains me — to myself, to others, and to something greater. Healing communities, accountability partners, and my own spiritual practices have been anchors that keep me aligned. For those early in the journey, seek out people and practices that tether you to your dream.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

The biggest challenge I’m facing right now is balancing my ongoing work as a therapist with my passion for building community and creating new alignment-centered offerings. I deeply value the clients and team I serve through my practice, and at the same time, I feel called to expand into retreats, workshops, and broader collective wellness work.

To manage this, I’ve started applying an 80/20 rule: 80% of my time and energy is invested where I’m most needed today — supporting clients and leading my team — while 20% is reserved for building what’s next. That intentional margin allows me to honor the present without neglecting the future. It’s not always easy, but it keeps me moving forward in alignment with both my responsibilities and my larger mission.

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